3 Investment Themes That Make China Attractive

This article is an advertisement by Eastspring Investments
.

For a country that has only opened its doors to foreign businesses and investments for slightly more than 40 years, China has made impressive progress on the global stage. It’s near impossible to ignore this global force that has emerged to become one of the largest economies in the world, second only to the United States (US).

China’s rapid progress has captured the attention and interest of many investors globally over the past decades. There is also general consensus that China continues to possess long-term growth potential, making it more attractive to foreign investors in the future.

If you’ve always heard about China’s growth potential but never really understood why, this article will explain three factors said to be key propellers to China’s future prospects.

Technology

China’s tech sector has long stopped being a follower but has instead transformed into an industry leader with technological innovations in various areas. These include telecommunications, Big Data and supercomputers, artificial intelligence, robotics, as well as e-commerce and fintech – just to name a few. This is demonstrated by the fact that Chinese technology brands like Alibaba, Huawei, and Tiktok have now become household names.

A lot of this can be attributed to how much China spends on research and development (R&D); the country reportedly has a

ratio of R&D spending to GDP of approximately 2.5%
 – which far exceeds the average for upper-middle-income countries. To further put things into perspective, China’s annual R&D spending
 grew 169 times
 from 14.3 billion yuan (approximately US$2.12 billion) at the beginning of the 1990s to 2.44 trillion yuan (approximately US$0.36 trillion) in 2020. And this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, given the
 government’s determination in prioritising the development of innovative capabilities
.

The key areas within China’s tech sector that have been identified as potential growth engines moving forward include semiconductor, software, and automation. For instance, China is projected to contribute

24% of the world’s global semiconductor capacity by 2030
. Software companies, too, will likely benefit from the
 government’s recent promise to draft out policies
 that will support the country’s Big Tech platforms in their journey of innovation and globalisation.

Consumer Goods & Consumption

(Image: Reuters/Thomas Peter)

With a population of approximately 1.4 billion people, China’s consumer market has immense potential and opportunities to offer. The National Bureau of Statistics of China reported that China’s total retail sales of social consumer goods hit
 44.1 trillion yuan (approximately US$6.5 trillion) in 2021
. This figure is expected to grow in the long-term as
 China’s middle-income class continues to expand
, and a significant segment of the group gradually succumbs to “premiumisation”.

Simply put, premiumisation is built upon consumers’ preference for the premium lifestyle, where they are willing to pay extra for luxury or branded items – whether as a boost to their social status or an actual appreciation for better quality. In China, this phenomenon was noted to prevail in all aspects of life, including daily necessities – and

many companies see this as a great opportunity to drive growth
.

Some consumption trends that tap onto this vast consumer market – which is estimated to hit US$13.9 trillion by 2030 – are online entertainment and healthcare. CNBC, for instance, reported that

China is still the world’s largest e-sports market
 despite recent regulatory restrictions, with industry revenue growing 14% year-on-year in 2021, while one of China’s largest tech and video game companies,
 Tencent
, recently declared that it “sees growth for online games in China and beyond”. Similarly, demand for better healthcare is also projected to
 expand at about 11% by 2031
, led by sectors such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology.

Renewable Energy and Clean Tech

2020
 saw renewable energy investments and sustainable finance taking the spotlight, with many global economies gradually latching on to the trend. China is already a notable world leader in the area of renewable energy and clean tech, and already produces most of the technology used to build new green economies.

The country seems to be winning the clean energy race and is leading the world in renewable energy production figures; it is already the

world’s largest producer of wind and solar energy
, as well as the largest domestic and outbound investor in renewable energy. Nevertheless, it appears China will continue to make even more such investments moving forward. In 2022 alone, China aims to install a record
 156 gigawatts of wind turbines and solar panels
 – a 25% jump from the previous record set in 2021.

The Chinese government has also long held ambitions for the country’s electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with various policies already in place to nurture the EV industry and to encourage the adoption of EVs. With the implementation of these policies, it hopes that at least

40% of the vehicles sold within the country will be EVs
 by 2030. Not only that, the government also aims to have installed a charging infrastructure network to meet the needs of more than 20 million EVs by 2050.

Ultimately, these green ambitions may propel many Chinese renewable players ahead of others in the global decarbonisation trend.

***

As these trends emerge, investors may want to consider the opportunity to invest in China today in hopes of reaping potential returns, especially with the market being more subdued at present, combined with attractive valuations.

If you’re convinced of the investment opportunities that China has to offer, there are numerous funds in the Malaysian market with exposure to China. Two specific ones that you may want to consider are the Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund and the Eastspring Investments Islamic China A-Shares Fund.

Investing In China With Eastspring

Eastspring Investments Berhad currently manages a total of RM1.35 billion (as of 31 August 2022) in Chinese equities, complemented by a network of investment experts across Asia.

Meanwhile, the Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund and the Eastspring Investments Islamic China A-Shares Fund are both growth equity funds and are
shariah
-compliant. More importantly, a big portion of their portfolios are invested in the three emerging trends discussed above.

1) Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund

A significant portion of the Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund portfolio, for instance, is dedicated to technology (42.85%), with the next biggest fund allocation being industrials (16.46%). This is followed by consumer goods (14.90%) and consumer services (11.52%). Here’s the full asset allocation for the Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund:

As you can see, the Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund is already primed to tap into the key investment trends that make China an attractive investment destination. Top holdings in the fund, meanwhile, include Alibaba, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd, and Tencent Holdings Limited.*

Cost-wise, there is a sales charge of up to 5.50% of the net asset value (NAV) per unit. There is also an annual management fee of up to 1.80% p.a., as well an annual trustee fee of up to 0.08% p.a. (subject to a minimum of RM18,000 per annum, excluding foreign custodian fees and charges).

*
as of 30 June 2022

2) Eastspring Investments Islamic China A-Shares Fund

Meanwhile, the Eastspring Investments Islamic China A-Shares Fund has a higher allocation for industrials (35.26%) in its portfolio, followed by a fairly equal distribution to consumer goods (15.45%), technology (11.69%), and healthcare (10.52%) – as you can see here:

Some notable companies that have the greatest weightage in this fund include Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd, BYD Company Limited, Longi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd, China Yangtze Power Co. Ltd, and Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd.**

Similar to the Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund, the sales charge is up to 5.50% of the net asset value (NAV) per unit and an annual management fee of up to 1.80% p.a.. Meanwhile, the annual trustee fee can go up to 0.065% p.a. (subject to a minimum of RM15,000 per annum, excluding foreign custodian fees and charges).

*
*as of 30 June 2022

Investing With Prudence

As a savvy investor, though, we’re sure you know that it’s crucial to carry out your own due diligence before going ahead with any investments. While China investments certainly sounds like an exciting prospect, it also comes with its set of risk and volatility – especially for long-term growth investments.

Some recent developments that have affected China’s markets recently include regulatory crackdowns on some of the country’s prominent tech companies, China’s persisting zero-Covid policy, as well as the continuous strain in US-China relations. The property crisis in 2021 – which saw the fall of real estate giant, Evergrande – has also spooked foreign investors as real estate accounts for approximately 15% to 20% of China’s gross domestic product (GDP).

From a long-run perspective, these incidents are expected to be temporary hurdles in China’s growth trajectory. Investing in China is undoubtedly a long-term play, and early investors with a suitable risk appetite who have a head start – especially when they buy in at low valuations – may be a prudent decision.

If you’re ready to take your first step in investing in China, you can find out more about the

Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund
 or the
 Eastspring Investments Islamic China A-Shares Fund
 here.

***

Disclaimer
: The contents of this advertorial are intended for general information only. Investors should carefully consider their investment objectives as well as the risks and costs associated with fund investing prior to making any investment decisions.

Based on Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund’s (“Fund”) portfolio returns as at 30 June 2022, the Volatility Factor (VF) for this Fund is 17.3 and is classified as “High” (Source: Lipper). “High” generally includes funds with VF that are higher than 14.21 but not more than 17.635. The VF means that there is a possibility for the Fund in generating an upside return or downside return around this VF. The Volatility Class (VC) is assigned by Lipper based on quintile ranks of VF for qualified funds. VF is subject to monthly revision. The VF for the Fund may be higher or lower than the VC, depending on the market conditions. The Fund’s portfolio may have changed since this date and there is no guarantee that the Fund will continue to have the same VF or VC in the future. Presently, only funds launched in the market for at least 36 months will display the VF and its VC.

Investors are advised to read and understand the contents of the Eastspring Investments Master Prospectus dated 15 July 2017, the Eastspring Investments First Supplementary Master Prospectus dated 2 February 2018, the Eastspring Investments Second Supplementary Master Prospectus dated 31 October 2018, the Eastspring Investments Third Supplementary Master Prospectus dated 2 January 2019, the Eastspring Investments Fourth Supplementary Prospectus dated 1 August 2019, the Eastspring Investments Fifth Supplementary Master Prospectus dated 1 October 2020, the Eastspring Investments Sixth Supplementary Master Prospectus dated 15 December 2021, the Eastspring Investments Islamic China A-Shares Fund Prospectus dated 13 September 2021, the Eastspring Investments Islamic China A-Shares Fund First Supplementary Prospectus dated 1 August 2022 (collectively, the “Prospectuses”), as well as the fund’s Product Highlights Sheet (“PHS”) before investing. The Prospectuses and PHS are available at offices of Eastspring Investments Berhad or its authorised distributors and investors have the right to request for a copy of the Prospectuses and PHS.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”). The Prospectuses have been registered with the SC who takes no responsibility for its contents. The registration of Prospectuses with the SC does not amount to nor indicate that the SC has recommended or endorsed the product. Units will only be issued upon receipt of the application form accompanying the Prospectuses. Past performance of the Manager/fund is not an indication of the Manager’s/fund’s future performance. Unit prices and distributions payable, if any, may go down as well as up. Where a unit split/distribution is declared, investors are advised that following the issue of additional units/distribution, the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) per unit will be reduced from pre-unit split NAV/cum-distribution NAV to post-unit split NAV/ex-distribution NAV. Where a unit split is declared, investors are advised that the value of their investment in Malaysian Ringgit will remain unchanged after the issue of the additional units.

Investments in the fund are exposed to the risks as tabulated below. Investors are advised to consider these risks and other general risks as elaborated in the Prospectuses, as well as the fees, charges and expenses involved before investing. Investors may also wish to seek advice from a professional adviser before making a commitment to invest in units of any of our funds.

Fund Name
Principal Risks
Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund
Security risk, credit or default risk, interest rate risk, countries or foreign securities risk, currency risk, counterparty risk, license risk, Shariah-compliant derivative risk, prepayment and commitment risk and reclassification of Shariah status risk.
Eastspring Investments Islamic China A-Shares Fund
Islamic collective investment scheme risk, equity risk, single country risk, currency risk, counterparty risk and Shariah status reclassification risk.

Eastspring Investments is an ultimately wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential plc. Prudential plc, is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7AG. Registered number 1397169. Prudential plc is a holding company, some of whose subsidiaries are authorized and regulated, as applicable, by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority and other regulatory authorities. Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America or with the Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc. A company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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Alliance Enhances Visa Infinite, Privilege Visa Signature With Complimentary Premium Lounge Access

Alliance Bank has announced that it is enhancing the benefits of its Alliance Bank Visa Infinite and Alliance Privilege Visa Signature credit cards with complimentary access to Plaza Premium First and Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide. These new travel perks are set to take effect starting from 1 November 2022.

According to the bank, both cards – which currently do not provide any such complimentary access – will soon offer the following benefits for its principal cardholders:

Cards
Complimentary access
Details
Alliance Bank Visa Infinite credit card
2x complimentary access per calendar year
Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide
Alliance Privilege Visa Signature credit card
4x complimentary access per calendar year
Plaza Premium First and Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide

To note, Plaza Premium First lounges are essentially the higher end versions of Plaza Premium Lounges. Alliance Bank also shared the full list of Plaza Premium First and Plaza Premium Lounges that are accessible to cardholders of both cards
here
, with clear indication of the use terms of this benefit.

In particular, those who wish to access the premium lounges are reminded that they must present their Alliance Bank credit card, passport/MyKad, and boarding passes. Additionally, all cardholders are advised to check the operating status of each lounge before visiting to avoid disappointment.

Aside from this update, Alliance Bank stated in its
official website announcement
 that there are no other changes to the existing benefits and features of both credit cards. However, the bank’s EDM to cardholders appears to indicate otherwise; we noticed that the reward for dining category under the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite card – which currently
earns you 5x TBP
 – has been bumped down to only 1x TBP earning. Given that banks are required to give 21 days’ notice for any form of revisions to its cards, this could either be a design error, or a hint of another upcoming revision to the card.

At present, though, the
Alliance Bank Visa Infinite card
 allows cardholders to earn up to 8x Timeless Bonus Points (TBP) for selected transactions, including online and e-wallet transactions, groceries, and dining. Meanwhile, the
Alliance Privilege Visa Signature card
 – which is an upgraded version of the Alliance Bank Visa Signature card – offers up to 8% cashback for selected transactions, provided they meet a minimum spend requirement of RM120,000 per year and a minimum assets under management (AUM) requirement of RM300,000.

(Source:
Alliance Bank
)

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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    Anonymous

    11 months ago

what does 2x complimentary mean ? Is it for two persons ?

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    Pang Tun Yau

    10 months ago

    Reply to

        Anonymous

No, it means the cardholder can access the lounge for free two times in a calendar year.

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    ANGELINE

    10 months ago

CAN VISA INFINITE SUPPLEMENTARY CARD GET THE FREE ACCESS TO LOUNGE?

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Maybank HQ To Relocate To Merdeka 118 In 2025 For Better Brand Visibility

(Image: New Straits Times)

Maybank has announced that it will be moving its corporate head office from its current location, Menara Maybank in Jalan Tun Perak, to Menara Merdeka 118 during the first quarter of 2025. The move, which will be done in stages, is expected to further enhance the bank’s brand visibility, especially given Menara Merdeka 118’s status as the world’s second tallest building.

This decision will see Maybank entering into a 21-year tenancy agreement with its largest shareholder, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), who owns Menara Merdeka 118. The bank will occupy 33 floors (650,000 square feet) in Menara Merdeka 118 to house all existing offices currently within Menara Maybank. Maybank’s KL Main Branch, meanwhile, is set to continue operating in Menara Maybank, with no impact to customers who have accounts there.

Maybank also noted in a statement that as the anchor tenant of Menara Merdeka 118, it has also been offered naming and signage rights over the building. Cost-wise, Maybank will be charged an initial monthly gross rent of RM10.60 per square foot for the first six years, with subsequent adjustments for inflationary costs.

(Image: The Malaysian Reserve/Muhd Amin Naharul)

In return, Maybank will lease Menara Maybank – which has a net lettable area of 1.09 million square feet – to PNB for a 10-year period on a triple net basis starting from the fourth quarter of 2025. This means that PNB (as the tenant) will bear all expenses of Menara Maybank, including maintenance, insurance, and taxes. PNB will also be allowed to rent out Menara Maybank to sub-tenants. Maybank, meanwhile, will receive a minimum guaranteed rental of approximately RM12.1 million per annum over the 10-year lease period.

Based on this arrangement, it is estimated that Maybank’s effective annual rental cost will stand at an estimated RM69.58 million.

Maybank group president and chief executive officer, Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli explained that the decision to relocate was made after careful consideration of its future operational requirements, chief of which is the bank’s sustainability aspirations. “For us to upgrade this building (Menara Maybank) to make it a platinum building and consistent with our aspiration [towards] sustainability, it is going to cost a lot of money. We have to refurbish this, move out, and then come [back] in, that is one perspective,” he said.

(Image: Malay Mail/Yusof Mat Isa)

Menara Merdeka 118, meanwhile, has already been awarded triple platinum green ratings in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Green Building Index (GBI), and Green Real Estate (GreenRE). It also has a Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status.

Datuk Khairussaleh also acknowledged that the new head office in Menara Merdeka 118 will have a smaller space than it currently does in Menara Maybank, but said that this is in line with the group’s strategy to use workspace optimally. This is especially as it is also adopting remote working practices. “We will continue to have people working from home, as a new normal. In fact, now we only have about 80% of people back in the office,” he said.

Finally, Datuk Khairussaleh stressed that the rental cost incurred by Maybank via this arrangement is a small cost, especially given the group’s annual net profit of over RM8 billion and the benefits that can be reaped. “We think that it’s about the goodwill of having such a high-profile building. It is not just about dollars and cents, it is about profiling Maybank. We are the biggest bank in Malaysia, and No 4 in ASEAN,” he said, adding that the goodwill gained from this move is immeasurable.

(Sources:
Maybank
,
The Edge Markets
)

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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Last minute gift ideas for Valentine's Day

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Robo-Advisor MYTHEO Waives Management Fees For 3 Months

Robo-advisor MYTHEO is waiving its management fees for 3 months amidst the ongoing Covid-19 situation. The move is aimed at lightening its customers’ worries in light of current challenging times.

MYTHEO gave assurance that its highly digitalised and automated workflows seamlessly connect front, middle, and back office processes, ensuring minimal service disruptions during the ongoing movement control order (MCO) period.

“With MYTHEO accessible online, you can continue to enquire and perform your investment requests from the safety of your home,” said Ronnie Tan, CEO and managing director of GAX MD, which runs MYTHEO. “MYTHEO offers hassle-free, digital assistance through emails and over our customer experience hotline.”

Tan also offered some advice on managing one’s financials during current situation. “Start by setting aside your required emergency funds. Then, leverage on your excess fund and plan out a long-term investment goal,” he said. “Practice dollar cost averaging by starting small and invest gradually with a fixed amount regularly. Also, ensure your investment is well diversified. Time in the market is more important than timing the market.”

MYTHEO
 is the Malaysian arm of THEO, the first robo-advisory service in Japan which launched in 2016. It was granted its robo-advisory license from the Securities Commission and launched in Malaysia in June 2019.

(Source:
FintechNews Malaysia
,
MYTHEO
)

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Sabah Encourages E-Wallet Payments To Help Curb The Spread Of Covid-19

The Sabah state government has urged businesses and the public to opt for e-wallet payments in their day-to-day lives. This is to help with the nation’s bid in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“One of the concerns is the spread of the virus through cash. Going cashless is definitely top of the agenda for the state government because just by going cashless, people would not need to hold cash and will not be exposed to the virus,” said the assistant minister of the Sabah chief minister, Datuk Jimmy Wong. The
World Health Organisation (WHO)
 had previously said that the use of banknotes could contribute to the spread of the disease.

Additionally, going cashless means that people are less likely to be exposed to the coronavirus while queueing up at automated teller machines (ATMs). It also has the added benefit of reducing the possibilities of theft.

(Image: Roketkini)

Wong further called on e-wallet providers to encourage more business users to adopt the cashless payment method. He also appealed to hawkers and stall operators at wet markets in Sabah to make e-wallets a part of their business norms.

The Sabah state government’s shift towards e-wallets is reflected in the launch of its own state e-wallet,
Sabah Pay
, just two months ago. Developed and managed by the Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC), it is powered by Boost. The state e-wallet, which was initially greenlit in
October 2019
, allows the public to make cashless payments at various government departments, public service agencies, and commercial entities.

(Source:
Daily Express
,
The Star
)

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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10% Off Mexican For CIMB Cardholders

CIMB credit and debit cardholders take note. There’s a new Mexican restaurant in town and they’re offering a 10% discount off your bill.

From 1 March 2013 till 30 June 2013 CIMB cardholders dining in
Fresca Mexican Kitchen & Bar
 are entitled to enjoy 10% off all food items.

This
promotion
 does not apply to set menus, other offers and discounts.

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HSBC's Credit Card Campaign Returns, Offers GrabFood Vouchers When You Reload GrabPay

HSBC is back once more with its HSBC-GrabPay Credit Card Top Up campaign, allowing selected credit cardholders to earn free GrabFood vouchers when they top up their GrabPay using HSBC credit cards. This time around, the promo will run during selected periods between today until 7 September 2022.

Available only to selected Grab users, you can earn GrabFood vouchers worth either RM15 or RM20 via this campaign, depending on whether you reload your GrabPay with the specified minimum amount through manual or auto top-up. As specified in the following table, manual top-ups will earn you RM20 vouchers, while auto top-ups will earn you RM15 vouchers:

Top-up method
Reward
Maximum redemptions per month
Manual top-up
(minimum top-up of RM200)
RM20 GrabFood voucher
2,500
Auto top-up
(minimum top-up of RM100)
RM15 GrabFood voucher
2,600

Aside from performing the required reload transactions, remember to also save your HSBC credit card details in your Grab app for future payments during the process. You will not be eligible for this promo if you opt out of this step.

Note, too, that the campaign will be carried out in two rounds; eligible cardholders must top up their GrabPay e-wallet during the following periods in order to win the GrabFood vouchers:

Round 1
: 1 – 7 August 2022
Round 2
: 1 – 7 September 2022

As you can expect, these GrabFood vouchers will be provided on a first-come first-served basis. If you manage to win any of the vouchers, it will be credited into your Grab account within five working days. Note that you can only earn a maximum of one RM20 and one RM15 voucher throughout the entire promo period. Also, the vouchers will have to be redeemed within 60 days from the issuance date.

Finally, do be aware that the vouchers are not exchangeable for cash, credit, or other goods and services. The vouchers are also not valid with other ongoing promotions, discounts, vouchers, loyalty programmes, and other member privileges.

(Source:
Grab
)

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How Lenovo IdeaPad Is Designed to Efficiently Deliver Performance

From work to personal hobbies, Lenovo IdeaPad allows you to express yourself creatively with its array of functions and features. Known among its fans to deliver quality, durability and performance at an affordable price, Lenovo IdeaPad lets you get the most out of a laptop without burning a hole in your wallet.

But have you ever wondered, how does Lenovo make this happen? What really goes into a Lenovo IdeaPad laptop that makes it high performing? It all lies in its unique features designed for practicality beyond just the aesthetics.

These features are integrated into Lenovo IdeaPad’s DNA – Fast, Intuitive and Trusted, which helps to optimise the performance of your IdeaPad laptop, eventually allowing you to work more efficiently. In this infographic, we’ve compiled some of the most interesting features that make Lenovo IdeaPad what it is today. While you might already know some of the features, you might be surprised to learn something new today.

So there you have it.

The Lenovo IdeaPad series, particularly the
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
, is designed with features to optimise your performance with their practicality. How many of these features do you already know? And which features do you think will complement your work or personal use?

If you’d like to know more, don’t forget to visit
www.lenovo.com.my
for more information.

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    Mael

    3 years ago

No slot for simkad ?

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Take Control of Your Financial Future with Nomura’s Four Investment Pillars

Retirement planning is a long-term journey, one in which an individual sets aside a pool of money for future benefits in preparation for an ideal retirement. The general thinking among investors is that a well-diversified investment portfolio includes a mix of different asset classes such as fixed income and equities. These investments, made through financial products such as ETFs, mutual funds, or direct investments, are key to generating sustainable returns to meet long-term financial goals.

However, the low yield environment that investors are facing today leads to downward pressure on the deposit rates of banks globally, and investors, like you, may be seeking ways to potentially increase the yields on your savings and investments. Committing to new investment ideas would require a large portion of your time and a deep understanding of the market dynamics and its variable factors. Moreover, you would also need access to the right resources to conduct reliable and extensive market research, which may not always be at your disposal.

So, How Does Nomura Asset Management Malaysia Empower Investors?

Nomura understands the struggles that investors may face when investing in their future. As a global investment manager with local interests in mind, Nomura strives to help Malaysian investors obtain optimal returns to achieve long-term financial goals. Nomura’s solution is based on
four core pillars
 designed to support you through your investment journey: Invest Better, Invest Affordably, Invest Informed, and Invest Global.

Let’s look at each of these pillars and how investors can benefit from them.

Invest Better – Invest Smarter With the Right Asset Manager

Investing can be a daunting and complicated process as it involves making decisions of which financial products to invest in, and dedicating a substantial amount of time and skill in monitoring each investment.

This is where the services of an asset manager, such as Nomura Asset Management come into play. Their professional and experienced fund managers are tasked to help investors to conduct market research, monitor market trends, and manage the risks associated with their investments while allocating their capital strategically to achieve sustainable long-term growth.

Nomura’s current range of investment products allows investors to design their own investment approach based on a focused suite of funds. Their funds range from global equities funds that enable better diversification with high-quality global companies to local fixed income products which provide investors with the potential to enjoy consistent income.

For investors who lack the time or expertise to construct their own portfolios, Nomura’s multi-asset solutions use their proprietary framework to optimise the portfolio’s asset allocation according to the current market conditions. These solutions are designed to minimise short-term volatility while providing an opportunity for them to capture long-term returns across different asset classes given any market condition.

Every decision taken by an investor is bound to have repercussions on not only the market but the society as a whole. As such, Nomura considers Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues to be important factors when analysing a company’s business sustainability and always strives to incorporate these principles into their overall investment approach.

Invest Affordably – Know Exactly What You’re Paying For

When choosing an investment product, you may not be aware of the potential charges or fees that come with it. Understanding such charges or fees is crucial as they can negatively affect the overall performance of the investment products.

It is worth noting that there are usually two types of fees incurred when engaging the services of an asset manager – one-time sales charges, which would normally be quoted in a certain percentage of up to 5-6% of the investment amount, and annual management fees which can range
up to 1.80% depending on the asset class
. Due to these charges, some investors may fear that they are paying too much. This is even more so when they feel that they are not being given sufficient advice from their chosen financial advisor or asset manager, particularly with regards to potential risks of a financial product before committing their hard-earned money.

Therefore, Nomura aims to redefine the existing industry landscape by bringing more affordable investment solutions to investors underpinned by their belief that a reasonable fee structure offers the best value to investors. For instance, most of the funds offered by Nomura Asset Management in Malaysia adopt a zero sales charge policy with affordable annual management fees ranging from
as low as 0.20% per annum
.

Invest Informed – Better Relationship & Staying Informed

Investors have long been concerned by the lack of transparency when it comes to investing in funds. You should be aware that all investments carry a certain degree of risk, and Nomura finds that the biggest risk usually comes from not knowing what one is investing into.

Nomura believes that strong and long-term client relationships are based on trust and communication. In the spirit of transparency, Nomura strives to take investors through each step of your journey by communicating regularly on the fund’s progress, positioning, and strategy. By being informed throughout the investment journey, you will be able to see the bigger picture and as a result, gaining better control over your portfolio.

Invest Global – Avoid Home Bias

Nomura also finds that most local investors have the tendency to invest heavily in the domestic market instead of spreading investments to the global market, mainly due to a lack of access and knowledge about global companies. A domestic-centric portfolio can potentially leave investors vulnerable to a single country’s market risks arising from political instability or economic corrections, in addition to a potentially big opportunity loss.

With Nomura’s extensive years of global markets experience and research capabilities, their global investment team has the in-house expertise to help add global exposure to your portfolios through their proprietary investment frameworks.

For example, Nomura’s multi-asset strategy specialises in identifying global companies with the potential to grow sustainably and independently over the coming decades, which Nomura coins as “Future Winners”, foreshadowing the companies’ long-term growth potential.

Nomura’s high conviction strategy focuses on maintaining portfolios with only around 20 global stocks underpinned by a strong conviction that effective portfolio diversification involves more than just increasing the number of stocks. This is achieved by focusing on quality stocks that are trading at attractive valuations. The strategy also provides more impactful investment as ESG data is embedded into the investment process. Therefore, local investors are given the opportunity to capitalise on the growth of these multinational companies while achieving global diversification compared to a domestically-concentrated portfolio.

Diversify Your Portfolio with Nomura’s Multi-Asset Strategy

Nomura’s multi-asset strategy, as its name implies, involves investing in a combination of different asset classes such as fixed income, equities, commodities, and more. Investing in different asset classes allows for better risk management and optimises returns across the board.

For example, bonds and equities perform differently in different environments within a certain time frame. Bonds tend to outperform equities in a recessionary environment or during low-economic activity. On the other hand, equities tend to outperform bonds over a longer-term as investments in businesses that continue to grow their earnings yield better returns over time. And as with any kind of investment, both asset classes come with their own risks and yields, which is why a multi-asset approach is commonly practiced.

This is where Nomura steps in to provide investors with asset management solutions that suit their financial goals. Bearing their Japanese spirit of efficiency and thoughtful hospitality, Nomura aims to provide quality investments to help Malaysians achieve their financial goals. Above all, Nomura aspires to provide
simple, affordable, and transparent
options through their fund offerings.

Introducing Nomura, A Japanese-Origin Investor-Focused Asset Manager

Nomura Asset Management’s business principle has always been putting customers first ever since its inception in 1959. In Malaysia, Nomura Asset Management Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Nomura Islamic Asset Management Sdn Bhd have been well-known as specialists in managing assets for pension, institutional, and corporate investors. In recent years, Nomura has also ventured into the mutual fund space, offering both conventional and Shariah investment solutions through a range of different funds that are designed to meet its clients’ changing needs.

Nomura always aims to improve the financial literacy of society. If you’d like to explore more about the funds of Nomura Asset Management in Malaysia and their strategies, you can visit their new website
here
 to read more about their experience and insights on different investment opportunities in the market.

Nomura will also be organising a series of live webinars that may help you in achieving financial success, with the next one scheduled for
24th July 2021
. Do stay tuned to their website and social media for more updates in the future. By starting to take control of your financial future today, you have the power to create a better tomorrow.

The contents of this advertorial are intended for general information only. Investors should carefully consider their investment objectives as well as the risks and costs associated with fund investing prior to making any investment decisions. Investors should also read and understand the relevant Information Memorandum and Product Highlight Sheet relating to the funds mentioned in this advertorial at
www.nomura-asset.com.my

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Study: Good Fraud Protection A Top Priority For Malaysians When Selecting Financial Accounts

(Image: The Star)

A global consumer fraud survey by data analytics firm, FICO has revealed that one in three Malaysian consumers consider good fraud and scam protection to be a priority when selecting new financial accounts. This comes as most Malaysians exhibit a preference to do all their banking digitally in a post-pandemic period, with a growing awareness of the need for strong protection against online scams.

“With around 23 million banking customers in Malaysia, if a third of consumers are filtering financial providers to find those with the strongest fraud protection, that’s a market of more than 7 million,” said the lead for fraud, security and financial crime in Asia Pacific for FICO, CK Leo. He further added that this is a significant opportunity for banks, in which good fraud protection can be their biggest sales asset instead of just an operating cost.

Aside from that, FICO’s survey also noted that 6% of Malaysian adults – equivalent to 1.3 million individuals – know that they have been a victim of identity theft. Meanwhile, 12% (2.6 million) think that their identities may have been compromised and are being used to open an account fraudulently.

(Image: Malay Mail/Shafwan Zaidon)

Additionally, more Malaysians have also demonstrated a growing awareness of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud – a kind of scam where fraudsters trick consumers into sending them money. “Fraudsters are attracted to these scams [APP fraud] as the victims bypass checks by authorising the payments themselves, with the funds clearing instantly and laundered through a maze of accounts,” explained Leo.

FICO’s survey also highlighted that Malaysian customers aren’t just prioritising better fraud protection; they also seek for convenience. Identity checks that are too difficult or time-consuming will turn them away from opening a range of different accounts. Specifically, 37% of survey respondents said that they have given up on opening a savings account for this reason, whereas 29% on credit cards. Another 27% said they backed out of personal loan applications due to a difficult onboarding process.

(Image: Amanz)

On top of that, many Malaysians have also indicated a growing preference for biometric security, believing them to be the most secure; 52% of the respondents said that fingerprints were the best, while 47% preferred face scans. There is, however, still a group that continues to cling to traditional, less secure verification methods. For instance, 34% showed a strong preference for old-fashioned usernames and passwords, while 37% preferred to receive passcodes via SMS.

“People develop a sense of trust and comfort around a way of doing things, especially if it has protected them from scams so far. As a result, it takes a while for customers to develop confidence in new security methods, even if they are better. Banks need to remain flexible but find ways to show new channels are trustworthy, effective, and more convenient,” Leo elaborated.

FICO’s survey was conducted in August 2022, and polled approximately 1,000 Malaysian adults. This is on top of another 13,000 consumers in various other countries, including Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, as well as United States and United Kingdom.

(Sources:
The Sun Daily
,
Smart Investor
)

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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6 Surprising Things You Can Rent in Malaysia

Renting is not a concept uncommon to Malaysians. We rent homes and rooms for shelter; cars when we’re on holiday; and books or movies when we don’t intend to read or watch them more than once. Renting is a great way to help us afford things we can’t buy outright or at times when we simply do not want the commitment of owning. But amongst the list of usual rental items; we found some surprising rental items available online should you need it.

Whilst we are not as high in the unusual stakes as some other countries where you can rent even
funeral caskets
;
robots
;
wives to do your cleaning
; and even fake,
invisible girlfriends
: the landscape of commerce is constantly changing, so who knows what we will be able to rent in the country soon? For now, these six items were surprising enough.

1. A Hospital Bed

If you have an elder, bedridden relative or a sick person in the family – being able to stay home is a luxury but regular beds aren’t built to accommodate invalids. Having an actual hospital bed is extremely useful and it’s actually really an awesome thing that people are offering hospital beds for rental if you cannot afford to buy one. Our search yielded a lot of results for those selling hospital beds but at an average of RM1,600 a bed; we doubt it is an accessible amount to many. It was great to then find a
listing on Mudah
, which showed us that you can rent a hospital bed for RM10 a day with a minimum of a month’s rental.

2. A Laptop

Laptops are now an almost necessity but if your laptop just died on you and you haven’t the extra RM1,500 to buy yourself a new one; having a rental laptop will be a great way to get work done and tide you over until you can buy your very own machine again. But not just laptops; you can rent desktop computers too. Many stores are now offering this convenience and the price will depend on the size and specifications of the computer. A
quick search online
 showed us prices start between RM70 – RM100 for 3 days and get cheaper the longer you rent. Monthly rates are significantly cheaper than daily at RM250 – RM280.

3. A Designer Dress

Looking the part of the
Mak Datin
 has never been easier with your rental
Badgley Mischka cocktail dress
 or
Monique Lhullier gown
.
Rent-a-Dress Malaysia
 allows you to rent designer dresses for a rental fee as low as RM100 plus a deposit of 100% of the rental fee so in essence; you pay the rental fee x2 with 50% returned when you return the dress. Why would you want to rent a dress you can’t afford to buy? Well, we all like to be princesses for a day even if it is in a borrowed/rented dress.

4. Toys

Kids tire of toys fast (with the exception of perhaps their favourite
busuk
 bunny or teddy bear) and these items are certainly not cheap! Instead of buying them toys that end up in the rubbish heap; why not rent these items? We found an awesome toy rental website that is sure to make all your child’s playtime dreams come true.
Rent-a-toys
 (not the most original nor grammatically correct names but there’s definitely no confusion regarding what they are about!) allows you to rent toys from small trucks right up to huge playhouses. Rental rates start as low as RM10 but deposits vary according to the price of the item. So no more buying toy scooters and slides that your child will grow out of within a year – just rent it!

Of course, do take care of the rented toys as Rent-a-toys cautions you in their FAQ not to do any of the following:

Natural wear and tear are acceptable.

We only can’t accept like example:

Throw form 10 floor apartment.

baby Ride Walker but adult ride until walker spoil.

Intentionally spoil like Smash with hammer and …. [sic]

We’re not sure why any parent or child would smash a toy with a hammer nor take turns riding in a baby walker but we’re guessing it must have been a real problem for them to highlight it.

5. A Guard Dog

Not just any dog; but you can rent an honest-to-goodness trained guard dog for your home or business. Many websites are offering this service but none offered price info unless we called them up (perhaps putting up the prices made people wonder if they would have enough money to guard after paying? Just kidding – don’t let the dogs out). But before we bit the bullet and called; lady luck gave us a wink in the of a useful Mudah ad. According
to this ad
; hiring a guard dog will cost you RM800 per month but this will be subject to where you live.

6. A Friend

We saved the best for last. If you’re worried about your social life being deader than the Friends series; help is at hand to revive it. At
Rent-a-Friend
 (Geez, what is with these names?) you can rent a new pal for just $10 (RM37) an hour. Do anything you like from seeing a movie; rock-climbing or using him/her as a wingman/wingwoman at the bar to cruise for dates. The possibilities are endless as long as your wallet is. Although, the site is international – we found
many Malaysians listed
 on it just waiting to be your new-found BFF.

Of course, don’t get any ulterior ideas. Rent-a-Friend mates are purely platonic. The site strictly tells you:

RentAFriend.com is strictly a platonic Friendship website. RentAFriend.com is NOT a dating website, and NOT an Escort agency. Services on RentAFriend.com are strictly for FRIENDSHIP purposes only.

Got it!

So there you have our list of surprising items you can rent in Malaysia. Do you know of any more? Let us know and we’ll expand the list!

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Investment Banks Expect OPR To Increase By At Least Another 25bps By End-2022

(Image: Bloomberg)

Several local investment banks have predicted that Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will further increase the overnight policy rate (OPR) by at least another 25 basis points (bps) by end-2022. This follows the footsteps of the US Federal Reserve, which hiked its rates by 75bps on Wednesday in a bid to tame the elevated inflation in the United States.

Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd maintains its expectation that BNM will raise the OPR by 25bps in its next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in September, thereby raising the OPR from the current 2.25% to 2.50% by the end of the year. Earlier this month, it had predicted that the central bank will likely
increase the OPR to 2.50% by end-2022
 to take advantage of an improved gross domestic product (GDP) growth expected in the second quarter of this year.

“The reopening of international borders, transition to Covid-19 endemic status, and
special Employees Provident Fund withdrawal scheme
 are expected to support Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2022,” Hong Leong Investment Bank explained in a separate note, ahead of the announcement of the country’s GDP (2Q22) in August.

(Image: New Straits Times)

Meanwhile, Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd
holds on to its prediction
 that BNM will hike the OPR by at least 25bps in both the remaining MPC meetings for 2022 (September and November). This will ultimately bring the OPR to 2.75% by the end of the year.

The investment bank explained that similar to the US Federal Reserves, BNM may bump up the OPR to control the growing inflation in the country. Data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) indicated that Malaysia’s inflation rate had spiked to a higher-than-expected
3.4%
 in June 2022 from
2.8%
 in the previous month. This was attributed to the significant increase in domestic demand and tourism-related spending following the reopening of the international borders and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

(Image: Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)

“This [rising inflation in the country], along with the expectation that GDP growth would continue to be driven by the stronger recovery in domestic demand, we expect BNM would continue to maintain its hawkish tilt and would raise its overnight policy rate (OPR) by at least 25 bps each at its remaining two MPC meetings for this year,” Kenanga Investment Bank explained.

BNM has already raised the OPR by a total of 50 bps this year – up by 25bps in
May
, and another 25 bps in
July
 – raising it up from a record low of
1.75%
 to 2.25%. Aside from these local investment banks,
several other research firms
 also expect Malaysia’s OPR to settle between 2.50% to 2.75% by the end of this year.

(Sources:
The Star
,
Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd
)

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Nur Adilah Ramli

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Bank Negara Malaysia Officially Announces Successful Digital Bank License Applicants

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has announced the five successful applicants for the digital banking license, with three licenses given under the Financial Services Act 2013 and another two under the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013.

Under the Financial Services Act 2013, the three successful applicants are:

a consortium of
Boost Holdings Sdn. Bhd. and RHB Bank Berhad
;
a consortium led by GXS Bank Pte. Ltd. and Kuok Brothers Sdn. Bhd; and
a consortium led by Sea Limited and YTL Digital Capital Sdn Bhd.

Under the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013, the two successful applicants are:

a consortium of AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd., AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad and MoneyLion Inc.
a consortium led by KAF Investment Bank Sdn. Bhd.

According to BNM, these five successful applicants will undergo a period of operational readiness that will be validated by BNM through an audit before they can commence operations – and this process may take between 12 to 24 months.

(Image: Bernama)

“Digital banks are expected to further advance financial inclusion. By adopting digital technology more widely for everyday transactions, we can significantly increase opportunities for our society to participate in the economy – by overcoming geographical barriers, reducing transaction costs and promoting better financial management,” said BNM Governor Tan Sri Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus.

In total, there were
29 applicants for the five digital banking licenses to be issued by BNM
. Interestingly, three out of the five successful applicants are majority-owned by Malaysians, which are Boost & RHB, Sea Limited & YTL Digital Capital, and KAF Investment Bank.

The successful applicants were selected through an exhaustive assessment criteria laid out by BNM, covering nine factors across four main points: Prudential, Technology, Financial Inclusion, and Best Interest of Malaysia.

The selection process saw four levels of assessment due to the strict governance and evaluation procedures from BNM. The final recommendations to the Minister of Finance were endorsed by BNM’s Management Committee.

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About THE AUTHOR

Pang Tun Yau

Pang Tun Yau

A seasoned tech journalist who now focuses on his other passion, Pang is a firm believer in old-school DCA and optimised spending.

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LHDN Notifications On SVDP Only For Those Earning RM4,000 And Above

(Image: New Straits Times)

Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN) CEO Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah said that about 8.3 million letters and emails were dispatched to notify taxpayers of the Special Voluntary Disclosure Programme (SVDP). Those who have already disclosed their income or earn below RM4,000 may also receive these notifications and can simply ignore them without cause for alarm.

LHDN urges those earning RM4,000 and above per month to register as taxpayers and declare their income under the SVDP if they have not done so last year. Also, those who are carrying on a business other than a private limited company with a yearly income of RM48,000 (RM4,000 a month) after deducting approved operational expenses and capital allowances will be required to register as taxpayers and declare their income to LHDN.

(Image: Free Malaysia Today)

The government announced the SVDP during the tabling of Budget 2019, stating that taxpayers who declare their income and make full tax payment for the year of assessment (YA) 2017 by 31 March 2019 will only be charged a 10% penalty. The penalty will be upped to 15% from 1 April to 30 June, and after the end of the SVDP on 30 June the penalty for overdue tax payment will continuously increase between 80% to 300%.

The huge reduction in penalty rates is an effort to encourage members of the public who have yet to declare their income for YA 2017 to come forward and make disclosures. Voluntary income disclosures made during this period will be accepted without being questioned by LHDN.

Lastly, all taxpayers should be more aware of
scammers
during this period. The public can avoid being scammed by obtaining confirmation on their status and information about SVDP by heading over to LHDN offices, via careline at 1-800-88-5436 (local)/ +60377136666 (overseas), or through email at
[email protected]
.

(Source:
The Star
)

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Olivia Song

Olivia Song

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What NOT to Buy at a RM5 Store

UPDATE: Since this article was posted, the prices of goods in RM5
stores have increased to RM5.90

RM5 stores welcome thrifty spenders with an immense number of great value items priced at only RM5. While it may have gotten people loading up their baskets full of items, some of these wares may not be worth buying for their price.

In our quest to get you more for your money, here are the items you should avoid buying when shopping around your local RM5 store:

We explain further and expand the list of items below:

1. Kitchen Utensils (Used Over Fire)

These plastic ladles appear like they’ll snap in two at the slightest twist. Could you safely use these when cooking on a high flame? While we aren’t saying it is for sure a bad quality item, you’re dealing with a two pronged risk here: the risk of having inferior plastic melt into your food and the danger of having the item crack over a fire.

Unless you are looking at items for basic scooping and serving; it’s probably best to spend a little more money to safeguard yourself. Even supermarket quality spatulas with plastic ends have been known to melt on the side when left in a pan on the stove, what more a cheaper item?

2. Gift Wrapping Paper

When you’re on a panicky last minute gift hunt, it’s easy to make an entrance and head over to the gift wrapping section. At first glance, the papers look pretty decent but before you make your way to the cashier- think about it, should a scroll of giftwrapping paper cost RM5? Go to your nearest bookstores, you can find them for a fraction of a price – some for as low as RM1!

3. Makeup

Your skin absorbs mostly everything. Just like you sometimes eat your lipstick when it’s on your lips- your skin eats whatever is on your face too. Some people assume that more expensive make-up is only that way because the companies are out to make a killing but that’s not entirely true. Legitimate makeup manufacturers are forced to abide by safety regulations and use only approved ingredients and chemicals, the same cannot always be said for items you buy for RM5 at a store such as this.

If you’re unlucky, your skin might suffer from breaking out or an allergic reaction. Llong-term use can even cause serious skin damage. While we can’t be sure that these cheaper items are truly toxic – it’d better to be safe than sorry. Stick to reputable makeup producers that abide by international safety standards. It will cost you more but you can have peace of mind knowing that the likelihood of poisoning your skin is pretty low.

4. Nail Clipper

A small nail clipper can cost as low as RM1 at your regular grocery store and only a little more for the larger ones. There ara a variety of options available in the RM5 store from the usual metal plated ones to polka dotted fancy clippers.

It’s definitely more
kawaii
 to have a bejewelled or colourful clipper- so if that is your thing, then by all means, go for it. However if you’re in for practicality, RM5 is not worth paying for something you cut your toenails with.

5. Cutting Board

As pretty as this lemon yellow one is; we’re sure we’ve seen sturdier and more durable cutting boards for RM5 or less elsewhere. Again, if you’re into the designer colours then this is the board for you but if you just want something practical – why not get more value elsewhere? A bendable version
from IKEA
 is two for RM6.90.

6. Hair Accesories

At a glance, hair accesories that come in packs are definitely worth buying, right? Before you take your pick, it’s still important think of whether you can get cheaper alternatives. Hair accesories like scrunchies, bobby pins and elastic ties can be found at a fraction of the RM5 price at some acessories stores.
One
 scrunchie for RM5? Really?

With that said, RM5 stores are still great places to purchase bargain items especially on goods that shouldn’t cost so much in the first place. However, some selective buying is required to truly reap the benefits of the RM5 store without the pitfalls. We hope our list can help you make a more informed decision.

Have anything to add to this article? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments section down below!

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KPDNHEP: Bread Not Included In Gardenia’s Price Hike On 1 June 2021

(
Image: The Sun Daily
)

The deputy minister of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, Datuk Rosol Wahid has reiterated that bread is not included in the list of Gardenia products that will see a hike in prices come 1 June 2021. This came following an earlier announcement by Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn Bhd (GBKL) that it will increase the prices of six products.

Datuk Rosol made the comment to refute the claims of a subsequent viral letter, which stated that the prices of Gardenia bread will be hiked up starting from 1 June 2021. “My officers had checked (the validity) and there was no price increase on various breads, but the prices of other products such as kaya spread may go up,” said Datuk Rosol, adding that the public should not worry or panic buy.

Prior to this, GBKL had released a statement saying that it will
increase the prices of six of its products
. However, the price of its main products – the various breads – will not be affected. Instead, the six products that are involved in the price adjustment exercise are various bread spreads, including the Gardenia Delicia Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (200g and 375g), Gardenia Delicia Milky Chocolate Spread (200g and 375g), as well as Gardenia Auntie Rosie Original Homestyle Kaya and Natural Pandan Kaya.

(
Image: The Star
)

The new prices for these affected products are slated to take effect on 1 June 2021, which also marks the first day of Malaysia’s full lockdown (FMCO) – expected to last for 14 days.  In line with that, Datuk Rosol also took the opportunity to urge traders and consumers to stand together with the government in the effort to reduce Covid-19 pandemic transmission.

“We already have useful experience from the first movement control order (MCO). Do not panic buy because the supply of health products such as face masks and disinfectants is adequate,” said Datuk Rosol.

(Source:
The Star
)

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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Real Property Gains Tax in Malaysia - What, Who, Where, and How Much

What is RPGT?

There was once a person who confused RPGT with the LGBT community (actual true story); so we feel compelled to say that these two are not connected in any way. According to Real Property Gains Tax Act 1976, RPGT is actually a form of

Capital Gains Tax
 levied by the Inland Revenue (LHDN) on
chargeable gains
derived from the disposal of real property – in this case your land or building.

Capital Gains Tax:
 A tax levied on profit from the sale of property or of an investment.

Chargeable/capital gains:
 The profit you make for selling a property at a higher price.

To explain it in simpler terms, RPGT is basically the tax collected from the sale of your land or property. Hang on, why do you have to pay tax when the property is no longer yours?! RPGT is imposed with the intention to curb property speculations or as they are fondly known – property ‘flippers’ (because they buy and ‘flip’ property at a higher price. This drives property prices sky high artificially and prevents real buyers from getting a home at the regular rate). It was suspended temporarily in 2008 – 2009 (to spur investments), but reintroduced in 2010. Ever since then, the RPGT has been increasing each year.

As the internet doge would say, “

Wow, many jargons, much puzzling
”. To put it simply, if you bought a property at RM100,000 and sold it for RM400,000 – you will be taxed on your RM300,000 profit. But wait! Just like most taxes, the calculations are not that straightforward.

So, how is RPGT Calculated?

RPGT is calculated based on your

net chargeable gains
; here, RM300,000 is only your
gross chargeable gains
. To arrive at your net chargeable gains, you can subtract a few expenses such as legal fees, real estate fees (sales commission), administrative fees, and expenditure incurred to maintain / upgrade the property (including interior design works – like all of your IKEA furniture).

Gross Chargeable gain
s = Acquisition price – Disposal price

Net chargeable gains
 = Gross chargeable gains (ie. your profit) – Individual exemption waiver (RM10,000 or 10% of the chargeable gains)

Tax payable
 = RPGT Rate (based on X years of property ownership) x Net chargeable gains

RPGT Rates in Malaysia as of Budget 2014:

1) RPGT Rates for Individuals

RPGT for Individuals

2014 Budge
t

2013 Budget

2012 Budget

Disposals on Jan-10 to Dec-11

Disposals on Apr-07 to Dec-09

Disposals on Oct-95 to Mar-07

Disposal in 1st year

30%

15%

10%

5%

0%

30%

Disposal in 2nd year

30%

15%

10%

5%

0%

30%

Disposal in 3rd year

30%

10%

5%

5%

0%

20%

Disposal in 4th year

20%

10%

5%

5%

0%

15%

Disposal in 5th year

15%

10%

5%

5%

0%

5%

Disposal in 6th year and beyond

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

2) RPGT Rates for Companies

RPGT for Companies

Budget 2014

Budget 2013

Disposal in 1st year

30%

15%

Disposal in 2nd year

30%

15%

Disposal in 3rd year

30%

10%

Disposal in 4th year

20%

10%

Disposal in 5th year

15%

10%

Disposal in 6th year and beyond

5%

0%

3) RPGT Rates for Non-Citizens and Non-Permanent Residents

RPGT for Non-PRs

Budget 2014

Budget 2013

Disposal in 1st year

30%

15%

Disposal in 2nd year

30%

15%

Disposal in 3rd year

30%

10%

Disposal in 4th year

30%

10%

Disposal in 5th year

30%

10%

Disposal in 6th year and beyond

5%

0%

After the Budget 2014 announcement, RPGT has been increased substantially to 30% for properties sold within 3 years or less (previously, it was 15% for 2 years and below and 10% for 3 years and below), 20% for properties disposed within 4 years of purchase and 15% for 5 years (previously it was 10% for both 4 and 5 years). Fortunately, 0% RPGT rate for properties older than 5 years was kept as it is.

Additionally, Foreigners can only buy properties with a minimum value or RM1M RPGT at 30% for first 5 years and 5% thereafter.

How do I calculate the years?

Generally, the dates which are used to determine the RPGT tax rates are dependent on the date when the property was acquired, and you can find your property “disposal date” on the respective Sale and Purchase Agreements. The same applies for properties under construction i.e. the purchase date is determined as the date on the Sale and Purchase Agreement, when you agreed to buy the property and not the property completion date. So take note!

RPGT Calculation Example:

Diana (Malaysian citizen), purchased a house in 2012 for RM415,000. She sold it in 2014 for RM560,000. Let’s assume that Diana spent RM30,000 in legal fees, agent fees, administrative fees, and maintenance works;

Chargeable gains =
RM560,000 – RM415,000 =
RM 145,000

N
et chargeable gain to be taxed

= (RM145,000 – RM30,000) – 10% individual exemption

= RM115,000 – RM11,500

=
RM103,500

Diana sold the property within two years of purchasing it, so the tax imposed on RPGT is 30%.

Tax payable = 30% x RM103,500 = RM31,050.00

RPGT Exemptions

Put on your dancing shoes, because there are a

few exemption
s allowed for RPGT:

An individual will be given an exemption equal to RM10,000 or 10% of the chargeable gain, whichever is greater.

An individual who is a Malaysian citizen or a permanent resident will be given an once-in-a-lifetime exemption on any chargeable gain arising from the disposal of his/her private residence if he/she elects in writing for the exemption to apply to that private residence.

Exemption given to transactions in which the disposal price is deemed equal to acquisition price (i.e. “No gain no loss” transactions) ; this includes transfer between spouses / family members, disposal due to compulsory acquisition, and gifts to the government, local authority, or charity exempt from income tax.

RPGT – What Else do I need to Know?

For those who want to avoid paying RPGT (0%), the most ideal way is to sell your property after five years of ownership. What will become of RPGT for Budget 2015? Head back to this article on October 15th for the update!

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Retabling Of Budget 2023 May Be Delayed Until Next Year

(Image: The Sun)

Digital Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has said that the re-tabling of the complete Budget 2023 may be delayed until next year. This is as the new Malaysian government will need time to review the original national budget that has been tabled, and to gather additional input.

According to Fadzil, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, the current government is set to table a provisional Supply Bill – another name for the national budget – in an upcoming two-day special Parliament sitting. This
provisional bill
 is necessary to approve the emoluments and salaries of civil services for the upcoming year; if not passed, the salaries of civil servants cannot be paid come January 2023.

“This December 19 to 20, we’ll be tabling a bill for emoluments. To be followed likely at the next sitting with a full budget. Depends on the incoming minister of finance and unity government priorities,” said Fadzil.

(Image: Financial Times)

On the re-tabling of the full Budget 2023 itself, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim noted that a review is in order. “I think most of it is acceptable. Certain parties expect that we are against all of it, [but] no. Whatever proposals are good, we will continue. But, of course, we will give room for the Cabinet, primarily the Ministry of Finance before the Cabinet, to gather their input on what we can improve,” he said.

For context,
Budget 2023
 had actually already been tabled back in October 2022, by then Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, involving an allocation of RM372.3 billion. However, it was never debated or approved as the Parliament was dissolved just three days after that, leading to Malaysia’s fifteenth general election (GE15).

(Sources:
Malay Mail
,
The Edge Markets
)

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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Get A Cordless Vacuum Cleaner That Has It All

Don’t miss out on the plethora of options you have when it comes to vacuum cleaning! There is a whole range of top-notch features your vacuum cleaner can offer that will make your routine chores a whole lot easier. Have a look at the following qualities of Khind’s latest VC9660 model and see for yourself how easily vacuuming can be a breeze.

Long battery operating time

Plugging and unplugging your appliance at power points as you clean your whole house is way too much of a struggle. Clearly, cordless vacuum cleaners are the way to go. This is where the operating time comes in as super important – you wouldn’t want your vacuum cleaner to run out of battery halfway through your cleaning session. Powered by a new-generation Li Ion Battery, the VC9660 can run up to 23 minutes at high speed and up to 50 minutes at low speed, from just one single charge.

Choose a more thorough clean

When the result you are looking for is a squeaky-clean floor, the type of brush in the vacuum cleaner you’re using matters. You want a brush that has the ability to remove more dust particles from all types of flooring, whether it’s parquet, hard floor, or carpets. For those of you who tussle with picking up stray strands of hair every day, you’d want a vacuum cleaner that removes hair effectively, too. With the VC9660’s AnimalPro brush, all it takes is a few passes over each surface to get a clean and dust-free result.

Maximum flexibility

Unlike Mr Incredible from
The Incredibles,
you probably don’t have super strength to lift tables and sofas out of the way when it’s time to vacuum. What you’ll need instead is a vacuum cleaner with a handle that is flexible enough for you to vacuum around corners and under your furniture. With the VC9660, its strength lies in its foldable handle that can fold both forwards and backwards for maximum flexibility. That way, you won’t have to worry about missing any hard-to-reach spots when you vacuum.

2-in-1 vacuum

Why settle for one type of vacuum cleaner when you can have both? At first glance, the VC9660 acts as a hardy upright vacuum cleaner. When you need to really get down to it though, it doubles up as a handheld vacuum cleaner that is detachable from the main body. There’s no need to buy a smaller vacuum cleaner for little nooks or cleaning your car when you can get both the handheld and upright functions in one!

So, if you want to make your regular vacuum cleaning session a quick and easy affair, do yourself a favour and check out the Khind Cordless Vacuum Cleaner VC9660. With all the right features, you know you’ll be best equipped to effectively tackle those dust bunnies. Head on over to
KHIND’s website
 now to find out more or purchase it online at
www.khindonline.com

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Earning Money on Holidays

The short school holiday season is about to kick off in a few weeks. While many people are thinking of how much they are going to spend and enjoy the holidays, let us see if any of these options are practical enough for you to make money on them instead. Let’s be mindful that this does not apply to all destinations of travel but may spark some creativity in you to work some magic on your trip.

Being a “Trader”

Buying and selling items while you are on holiday is not a new trend. Many flight attendants and pilots have been taking advantage of their professions to do so. People buy items which are cheaper overseas and sell it for a good profit when they are back home.

To ensure you have an edge over others, ensure you are using a
travel credit card
 which gives you a significantly higher return. Some travel credit cards even allow you to garner up to 5 times the points when spending overseas as compared to local expenses. The rewards collected may even pay for your next trip.

When purchasing some of the big ticket items, be sure to keep your receipts and get your tax returns when leaving the country. Be sure not to pack those items away, as the returns usually requires proof of purchase such as your receipts, as well as the physical item to be present for you to claim your tax rebates.

This way you would have saved a whole lot more and can be more competitive when you are selling the products back home.

Cooking for Others

This sounds like a lot of work doesn’t it? Then again, a night or two of cooking in the evening for people would be a lot less work than shopping and tiring out those legs and arms with those heavy bag you have to lug around.

You are probably wondering who on earth would want to hire you to cook on holiday? Well, never under estimate Malaysian food. Remember the people who were selling the
raindrop cake
 in the US which was actually “agar-agar” to the common Malaysian? Then there was a Malaysian who started a restaurant in China which
sold curry puffs
. All simple day-to-day food in Malaysia but an extremely unique experience to others.

An acquaintance to this writer, Sarah made herself some money by cooking for her Airbnb host while she was on holiday in Australia. She decided to cook as a nice gesture for the host. The host enjoyed the food so much that she asked if Sarah could cook for her friends and offered to pay her, $200 AUD (RM589) to make teh tarik and nasi lemak with fried chicken, for ten people. So what did this Italian chef do? She made some authentic Malaysian food for these Australians for a huge profit.

Be a Tour Guide

This is a simple way to make yourself some extra money. The money making process happens after the trip rather than on the trip. The work and research however, has to be done during your trip. If you invested in a good tour guide and believe you have some unique information to sell, you could compile it and word it out on a travel blog. Or you could make a video while you travel, host it on
YouTube
 and get a small cheque every now and then for your efforts.

Start Planning Your Holiday!

Instead of spending a fortune booking your trip, use some of these tips to cushion your expenses by earning some money during your travels. Of course, not all of these options are easily applicable to everyone, but if you take the time to do a little thinking, we are sure you will find a little loop hole where you could earn some returns too.

Above it all, be sure to take your first step and apply for a
travel credit card
 on our website to enjoy some additional benefits. And to get the best out of your travel adventures, you may want to learn more about our
Travel Getaway Campaign
 where you get to score amazing travel-related gifts. All the best!

If you have any tips on how to earn some money while travelling, share with us in the comments below.

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New RM10 And RM50 Notes For CNY Are Now Available At Selected Bank ATMs

(Image: New Straits Times)

(
Updated on 13 January 2023.
)

Chinese New Year is just about two weeks away, and the Chinese community in Malaysia is ready to celebrate in full swing. This, of course, also means blessing loved ones with angpows (or red packets) during the festive season.

Understandably, those who wish to hand out angpows to their family members this coming Chinese New Year will want to obtain brand new notes for the occasion. Here are several banks that have announced when and where their customers can withdraw such notes:

Affin Bank

(Image: Bernama)

Affin Bank said that customers will be able to
withdraw fresh notes of RM10 and RM50
 for their CNY angpows this year at
selected locations nationwide
 from 12 to 20 January 2023. All of the ATMs will dispense both denominations, so you won’t have to worry about needing to head to selected machines!

Do be aware that the bank has set a withdrawal limit of RM5,000 per day, but this is also subjected to your card’s withdrawal limit and the availability of notes in the ATM.

AmBank

Fresh notes of RM10 and RM50 are now
available for withdrawal
 at selected automated teller machines (ATMs). Most of the machines will dispense RM10 notes, while only number will provide new RM10 and RM50 notes. As such, make sure to
check the location of the ATMs
 before heading out to make your withdrawals!

Note that your withdrawals will likely be restricted by your withdrawal limit and the availability of the notes in the ATMs.

CIMB Bank

(Image: Bernama)

Customers can obtain fresh RM10 and RM50 notes for CNY at
selected CIMB automated teller machines (ATMs) nationwide
 starting from today until 23 January 2023. Note a majority of these ATMs will dispense RM10 notes, while fresh RM50 notes are only available exclusively at selected ATMs in Menara CIMB and Suria KLCC (Petronas Tower 3).

While CIMB did not clarify whether customers will need to abide by additional conditions – such as a maximum amount per withdrawal, or a maximum number of withdrawals per day – do expect your withdrawals to be restricted by your card limit and the availability of the notes in the machines.

Hong Leong Bank

(Image: The Sun Daily)

Hong Leong customers can already begin to head on over to HLB bank branches and request for CNY note exchanges at the counters, but do be aware that the exchanged notes will be provided in the form of new and fit notes.

Hong Leong Bank also did not share a full list of the branches that provide this service, so you’ll have to visit your nearest branch to enquire about the availability of new notes. Alternatively, you can also give the offices a call to ask if you can reserve some notes before heading over to pick them up. The notes – if available – will be offered on a first-come first-served basis.

Maybank

(Image: New Straits Times)

Maybank, too, announced that its customers will be able to withdraw fresh RM10 and RM50 notes from ATMs at selected locations, starting from today until 24 January 2023. Some of the ATMs will dispense new notes in both denominations, while others will only dispense fresh notes in either one of the denominations (e.g. ATM 1 only dispenses RM10, while ATM 2 only dispenses RM50), so if you’re looking for a specific denomination, make sure to check the
locations of these ATMs
 before heading out to make your withdrawals.

Similar to the other banks, your withdrawals will likely be restricted by your withdrawal limit and the availability of the notes in the ATMs.

***

While physical angpows are certainly popular – with many people often collecting the angpows for their beautiful designs – some of you may also favour the convenience of e-angpows and digital red packets, especially if you’d like to bless relatives who are unable to make it back for the family reunion. Many banks (and even e-wallets) have made it easier for you to personalise such money transfers with customised messages and visuals as well. Regardless of which method you choose, we’re sure that these angpows will bring plenty of joy to your loved ones, adding delight to their Chinese New Year celebration.

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About THE AUTHOR

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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3 Competitive Banking Promotions That Benefit You

There are quite a few banks in the market and all are pretty much vying for the same pool of customers – those who are financially fit to apply for a banking product. This makes the pool of customers available a coveted lot!

If you are one of those who fall into the desired category; we found three ways in which, the banks will try to snap you up. Take advantage of these promotions, products and deals because they will benefit you!

Refinancing Options

Buying a house a long haul process with loans that can go on for up to 30 years. This is a long time and no doubt in that time; mortgage packages will be forever changing to suit the current economic realities.

What if you were to apply for a home loan at today’s rate of 4.5% interest only to find, say 10 years down the line that rates have fallen to a neat 3%?

Interest rates are constantly in a flux but sometimes a rate may go so low as to make it definitely worth your while to refinance your home under a different bank. It helps to keep up with current banking news so you will be informed just when those rates go down low enough to be much better than your existing financing package.

Think your mortgage rate is outdated? It’s time to refinance! Check out our
home loan comparison page
 for the most current rates in the market.

Balance Transfers

More and more banks today are enticing customers with
0% balance transfer deals
. Now why in the world would a bank want to take on your debt from another bank’s credit card and charge you no interest?

To get
you
 as a customer! You can surely benefit from a 6 – 12 month period of 0% or nominal interest so it makes sense on both sides to switch.

Balance transfers in Malaysia, are a great way to clear down debt and benefiting from a more rewarding credit card. Even balance transfer deals are changing all the time so it helps to keep your eyes peeled for the next great one. Don’t worry about missing it – just bookmark
our balance transfer page
.

Sign-up Offers

The final pull for a competitor’s customer is the Sign-Up Offer. This is a simple enticement – join us, and we’ll give you a gift for doing so. Simple, clear-cut and you don’t need a balance from any other bank. Just sign-up.

Whether it is a home loan, personal loan or credit card sign-up offer; the promotions can sometimes be attractive but sometimes not so much. Some go to the extent of offering you continuing bonuses such as additional cashback or cash vouchers when you spend on your new credit card alongside a guaranteed gift at the time you sign up.

We want you to have a better credit card or loan product too so beyond what is offered by banks; RinggitPlus offers sign-up gifts that are exclusive to those who apply on our site. Check out
our sign-up offer page for exclusive RinggitPlus offers
 that you won’t find at the bank.

Every once in awhile, it pays to update your financial portfolio by taking a more updated or rewarding banking product. Why stay on a plan that is draining you of your hard-earned cash via hefty interest rates or unattractive reward programmes when you can make a switch and be rewarded for it? Sounds like a good deal to us!

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Diana Chai

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Versa Bumps Up Projected Net Return For Versa Cash, From 2.1% p.a. to 2.5%p.a.

Digital cash management platform Versa has notified users that it is bumping up the projected net return (after fees) for its Versa Cash feature to 2.5% p.a.. This is set to take effect starting from 1 August 2022.

Prior to this, Versa Cash had a projected gross return (before fees) of 2.46% p.a., and a projected net return of 2.1% p.a.. Unsurprisingly, this latest update is good news for Versa Cash users as it means improved earnings – but also especially since Versa has a feature that enables
users to receive rebates
 (calculated based on their account balance) if the daily returns received fall below the advertised earnings.

In fact, in the notice sent to users, Versa explicitly stated that “[i]n the event that the daily returns you earn is below 2.5% p.a., Versa will credit rebates to your account to make up for the amount difference!” Note, however, that the projected net return of 2.5% p.a. is only applicable for 2022; it is subject to change in the future, depending on the performance of the underlying fund for Versa Cash: the Affin Hwang Enhanced Deposit Fund.

Versa Cash was first announced in 2020, and
officially launched in early 2021
 with the opportunity to originally earn interest rates of up to 2% p.a.. Advertised as “the
alternative to fixed deposits
, but better”, you can tap into the perks of Versa Cash to earn a stable projected rate with daily compounding of interest and
monthly payouts
. Additionally, there is no minimum balance requirement, no limit on the amount earned from the projected rate, and no withdrawal or deposit fees. There is, however, a management and trustee fee of 0.3% p.a. and 0.05% p.a., respectively.

Investors who have enquiries regarding this latest development can contact Versa by calling 03-7890 3500, or sending an email to
[email protected]
. Alternatively, you can reach out to them via the app itself.

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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