Dividend Magic

Saving and Investing towards Financial Independence in Malaysia

Dividend Magic

Dividend Income – July 2019

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Dividend Income

August has been a busy month of late, hence the late dividend income update for July. The Freedom Fund only managed a total of RM1,409.95 from two companies – Aeon Credit and Scientex.

Compared to RM4,176.64 in July last year, that’s a –66.24% drop in dividends. Fret not, because last year, we had AirAsia’s special dividend come in July. We will have a special month of dividends sometime later this year.

The current dividend yield of the Freedom Fund stands at 2.85%.
I know some of you has surpassed the 3% mark. 😉

Aeon Credit Service (M) Berhad

July 2019 Dividends – RM379.95
July 2018 Dividends – RM340
Total 2019 Dividends –  RM379.95
Dividend Yield (so far) –1.68%

We’re poised to go over 3% in dividend yield for the first time for Aeon Credit again this year. We did 3.18% in 2018. They’ve been on a lending spree of late and should see profitability increase.

Scientex Berhad

July 2019 Dividends – RM1,030
July 2018 Dividends – RM920
Total 2019 Dividends –  RM2,060
Dividend Yield – 4.64%

Scientex’s final dividend came in at RM1,030. Total dividends for the year is RM2,060. Compared to RM1,840 last year. That’s an 11.9% increase.

Scientex’s full-year dividend yield is an amazing 4.64% for me. I’ve held shares of the company since 2014 and as the business has grown, so has my dividend yields. The company’s prices are attractive right now and I might be adding some more to my portfolio.

Busy August

August was a busy month for yours truly and it’ll get a little busier in the coming weeks. I’ll be on holiday but will have an article or two out before and after (hopefully).

Meanwhile, don’t forget to follow me and my holidays etc on Instagram. @dividendmagic. Next week will be a fun one.

I don’t post these on the blog and on Facebook. See you on Instagram 😉

End.

We are at a total dividend income of  RM10,348.31. Giving the Freedom Fund a yield of 2.85%. 

Freedom Fund as at July 2019
Dividend Income (July) –  RM1,409.95
Dividend Income (2019) –  RM10,348.31
Dividend Yield – 2.85%

Dividend Income – May 2019

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Dividend Income

Took a pretty long break during the Raya holidays, hence the kinda late post. I received a total of RM1,332.16 for the month of May.

Only two companies contributed to my dividend income last month – Malayan Banking Berhad and Nestle Malaysia Berhad.

Compared to the same month last year, I only collected RM667.52. That’s a 69.51% increase in dividends. Total dividends stand at RM7,142.72. Dividend is at a healthy 2.04% so far.

Malayan Banking Berhad

May 2019 Dividends – RM1,052.16
May 2018 Dividends – RM1,040.64
Total 2019 Dividends –  RM1,052.16
Total 2018 Dividends –  RM1,853.64
Dividend Yield (so far) – 3.92%

Received a total of RM1,052.16 as dividends. Some in the form of shares via Maybank’s dividend reinvestment plan. Full details of the DRIP are hERE.

Nestle Malaysia Berhad

May 2019 Dividends – RM280
May 2018 Dividends – RM270
Total 2019 Dividends –  RM280
Total 2018 Dividends –  RM550
Dividend Yield (so far) – 2.09%

End.

We’ve broken the 2% dividend yield mark. Should hit 3% in a month or two. June is gonna rock!

As of the month of May, my total dividend income so far is 4% higher compared to 2018. In simpler terms, my dividends are increasing.

We are at a total dividend income of  RM7,142.72 . Giving the Freedom Fund a yield of 2.04% now.

Freedom Fund as at May 2019
Dividend Income (May) –  RM1,332.16
Dividend Income (2019) –  RM7,142.72
Dividend Yield – 2.04 % 

A Guide to Dividend Reinvestment Plans in Malaysia (Online)

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Maybank’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan Online Application

No more going to the post office to subscribe dividend reinvestment plans (“DRP”) guys and girls. FINALLY.

Tricor has rolled out online applications and it is so convenient. Here, I’ll show everyone how it’s done. Step-by-step.

Tricor’s Online DRP Application

Step 1 – Register and Login

First, head over to Tricor and obviously, you’ll have to go through the motions and sign up for an account.

Proceed to login to your account.

Step 2 – Selecting the Corporate Exercise

As highlighted in the image above, select the corporate exercise you as a shareholder wishes to take part in.

In this case, Maybank’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Click ‘Next’.

Steps 3 & 4 – Terms and Conditions of the DRP

The next step brought me to the T&Cs of the dividend reinvestment plan. Read through, check the box and click ‘Next’.

Maybank is giving out shares in lieu of cash dividends. The shares will be issued at RM8 per share.

The lower the figure, the better. Because I’ll get more shares.

Step 5 – Declaration

Declare that you’re fit to participate in the corporate exercise. Check the box and click ‘Next’.

Step 6 – My Dividends

So, this is how a DRP works. First, the price for one Maybank share is hovering around the RM8.9 and RM9 region.

Without the DRP, I stand to receive RM1,052.16 in dividend income. Cash.

By electing to receive my dividends in Maybank shares instead of cash, I’ll receive 69 Maybank shares and RM493.20.

How did I get 69 shares you ask? That’s RM558.96 / RM8 per share.
RM8 being the issue price mentioned earlier.

Why DRP?

So, the why is simple. I stand to receive RM1,052.16 if I took it all out in cash.

Maybank is giving me some of it in shares, at RM8 per share.

The market price for one Maybank share is RM8.90. That’s a 11.25% premium. So if the price holds, I’ll gain 11.25% on my 69 shares.

However, you do not want to opt for a DRP if:

1. The issue price is ABOVE the share price (duh)
2. The issue price is really close to the share price.

First, no one in their right mind will opt for Maybank’s DPR if say, the market price for a share is RM7. This usually happens when a stock’s prices are in a freefall.

For number 2, we have to pay to participate in corporate exercises. In this case, see Step 7.

Step 7 – Payment

Followed the instructions and made my payment. RM13 in handling fees and stamp duty.

An extra RM3 in handling fees. Heck, I’d pay RM10 to save my time.

End.

So there you have it. I’ve been participating in Maybank’s DRP ever since I owned the bank’s shares. And it has been rewarding.

In the last DRP, the issue price was at RM7.25.

With Tricor’s new online system, it has been even easier and more convenient for me.

So, Maybank shareholders out there, give the online system a try and save your time. As we all know, time is everything.

Dividend Income – March 2019

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Dividend Income

We did good in March. Raking in RM1,265.27 in dividend income from a total of 5 companies. Compared to RM2,166.98 March last year.

Don’t let the figures fool you though, there was a one-off gain from the takeover of Goldis Berhad last year, netting me RM1,441.68.

New faces include Homeritz (which traditionally declared dividends in February) and my preference shares from Goldis (which you can read about hERE)

Homeritz Corporation Berhad

March 2019 Dividends – RM366.75
March 2018 Dividends – RM537.90
Total 2019 Dividends – RM366.75
Total 2018 Dividends – RM782.40
Dividend Yield (so far) – 2.60%

A dip in dividends for the furniture company.

Public Bank Berhad

March 2019 Dividends – RM222
March 2018 Dividends – RM204
Total 2019 Dividends – RM222
Total 2018 Dividends – RM396
Dividend Yield (so far) – 2.00%

A 10% increase in dividends from Public Bank this year.

Sunway REIT

March 2019 Dividends – RM281.52
March 2018 Dividends – RM297.30
Total 2019 Dividends – RM281.52
Total 2018 Dividends – RM1,179.94
Dividend Yield (so far) – 1.42%

A decrease in dividends from Sunway REIT. Hmmmm.

Scicom Berhad

March 2019 Dividends – RM168
March 2018 Dividends – RM224
Total 2019 Dividends – RM168
Total 2018 Dividends – RM1,008
Dividend Yield (so far) – 0.75%

IGB Berhad (formerly Goldis Bhd)


March 2019 Dividends – RM227
March 2018 Dividends – RM227
Total 2019 Dividends – RM227
Total 2018 Dividends – RM227
Dividend Yield (so far) – 2.15%

End.

A pretty good month. The total dividend is lower due to the aforementioned one-off proceeds from IGB Berhad.

All in all, dividend income actually increased.

Freedom Fund as at March 2019
Dividend Income (March) – RM1,265.27
Dividend Income (2019) – RM3,395.44
Dividend Yield – 0.92%

We’re almost at 1% there. Hoping to reach 5% in dividend yield this year.

End of the first quarter so I’ll be updating the figures in the Freedom Fund soon.

Dividend Income – February 2019

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Dividend Income

My February wasn’t all fine and dandy. I received only RM1,099.48 in dividend income from two companies – IGB REIT and Axis REIT. As compared to RM1,732.06 in 2018.

That’s a 36.52% drop in dividends compared to the same month last year. The main reason being – Homeritz declared in February last year, but I received their dividends in March instead, in 2019.

Also, if you’ve been following me on Facebook and Instagram, I’ve actually sold half my holding in Axis REIT after receiving their dividends.

IGB REIT

February 2019 Dividends – RM612
February 2018 Dividends – RM1,007.99
Total 2019 Dividends – RM612
Total 2018 Dividends – RM2,865.43
Dividend Yield – 1.51%

A huge 39% drop in dividends from IGB REIT.

Axis REIT

February 2019 Dividends – RM487.48
February 2018 Dividends – RM186.17
Total 2019 Dividends – RM487.48
Total 2018 Dividends – RM1,359.45
Dividend Yield – 1.42%

A 162% increase in dividends for Axis REIT.
The REIT is back on track and I foresee future growth in share price. My reason for disposing of half of the stock is because the yields are still below par for my portfolio.

End.

Freedom Fund as at February 2019
Dividend Income (February) – RM1,099.48
Dividend Income (2019) – RM2,129.48
Dividend Yield – 0.58%

Dismal dividends for the first 2 months of 2019. Still optimistic for the rest of 2019 though!

Onwards and upwards. How has everyone’s portfolio performed?

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)

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EPF Dividends 2018 – 6.15%


The Employees’ Provident Fund has a good track record of declaring above average returns to Malaysians. Also, have a look at their very simple vision and mission.

Vision

Helping members achieve a better future

Mission

Safeguard members’ savings and deliver excellent services

Quality Policy

The EPF is committed to help members achieve a better future through continuous improvement in safeguarding members’ savings and delivering excellent services. 

With the EPF, Malaysians essentially have in place a system of forced savings, investing and reinvesting for their retirement.

An independent governmental body whose goal is not motivated by fees but to earn the highest possible return for its members.

In general, Malaysians are happy with the 6.15% declaration of dividends by the board of our good old EPF.

And YES! 
EPF = KWSP. They’re one and the same.

We’re all familiar with EPF as our retirement fund. But what does EPF actually invest in?

dividend magic - retirement
‘How late do you expect to be working?’

Main Assets of EPF


As of 2018, equities made up about 41% of EPF’s total assets.

A further 50% is invested in fixed income instruments.

Let’s have a look at some of EPF’s largest equity holdings.

It’s a good idea to have EPF’s investments as a reference, apart from my Freedom Fund of course. ; )

What Will Become of Your EPF Savings?


With the recent 6.15% declaration in dividend, what do you plan to do with your savings in the fund?

I’ve created a simple poll in an attempt to gauge the mentality and financial decisions of everyone here.

No pressure. Also, there are no wrong answers.

What Will You Do With Your EPF?

View Results

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What I Do With My EPF

I personally am leaving my EPF untouched till I reach 55. And then I’ll withdraw a monthly amount to keep me alive, slowly drawing down on the capital.

Your EPF is essentially forcing you to save a portion of your income every month. And it helps you reinvest those 6% and above dividends every single year.

Even though I’ve mentioned there being no wrong answers to the poll above, I do believe Option 2 and 3 – where you’re essentially drawing down on your funds from your EPF savings is the least financially sound decision.

I see no reason for one to forego that 6% return in lieu of mutual funds or property. If you’ve got to take money from your retirement savings to purchase something, you definitely can’t afford it. In my opinion, of course.

Has anyone done this long term and made good money from Options 2 and 3?

End.

You may have heard from uncles and aunties telling you to withdraw as much as you can during times of uncertainty.

Mutual fund agents may have enticed you to believe their RM100 million funds are superior to our national fund – worth over RM800 fucking billion dollars.

Property agents may have hinted that your purchase of that 3BR apartment is a better decision than leaving your money in the hands of a professional investing team.

I think all are a load of hokum and I’ll stick with EPF for the foreseeable future.

I think you should too. 
And this is a plea to all Malaysians, don’t squander away your retirement savings.

TL;DR – Withdrawal from EPF? Bad idea.

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