RHB DIVA Fund is year's top performing Equity Fund in Asia-Pacific

Kuala Lumpur, 12 December 2006 : TheRHB Dividend Valued Equity Fund (“RHB Diva Fund”) has registered a 31% return for the year to 24 November 2006, making it the best performing fund in the Asia-Pacific outside Japan.

Based on this outstanding performance, its investors will receive their second income distribution of the year – a total of 2.5 sen for every unit owned for the financial period ended 30 November 2006.

The RHB DIVA Fund, which was launched in July 2005 and managed by RHB Unit Trust Management Bhd (“RHB Unit Trust”), has declared a total income distribution of 4 sen per unit.

Chief Executive Officer of RHB Unit Trust, Mr Michael Tan, said: “According to Lipper Asia Ltd, which tracks the performance of funds across the Asia-Pacific, excluding Japan, RHB Diva Fund remains the top equity funds performer. It registered a 31% return for the period between November 24, 2005 and November 24, 2006, with its closest peer registering only a 22.83% return for the same period.”

Expressing confidence that RHB Diva Fund would remain the top performer, Chief Executive Officer of UOB-OSK Asset Management Sdn Bhd, the external fund manager for RHB Diva Fund, Ms Lim Suet Ling pointed out that the Asia ex-Japan market valuations compared well against the rest of the world, with its strong fundamentals and outlook.

“This lowers volatility and caps downside risk. Moreover, upside is not compromised as the track record has shown. Hence, strong performance will be achieved with less volatility,” she added.

On a regional perspective, Ms Lim noted that with the US Federal Reserve maintaining federal funds rate at 5.25%, many countries in Asia, apart from Japan, would be expected to cut or hold their benchmark rates unchanged in the near term to bolster domestic consumption.

“Lower global oil prices will also ease inflationary pressures across Asia, which will boost domestic sentiments. This will be positive for the equity markets and hence, the reason for our continued optimism in the region. China and India continue to drive economic growth in Asia. Furthermore, non-Japanese Asian markets still trade at attractive valuations compared to the rest of the world,” she said.

The RHB Diva Fund aims to provide total returns primarily through investment in equity and equity-related securities of companies that offer attractive yields and sustainable dividend payments and is suitable for investors who want steady and consistent income as well as long-term capital growth. The Fund is RHB Unit Trust’s first that is exposed to equities from the Asia Pacific ex-Japan region, with up to 98% of its Net Asset Value invested overseas.

RHB Unit Trust currently manages 19 Funds, which are marketed by RHB Bank Bhd, RHB Securities Sdn Bhd, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd, United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd, its authorized agents and its business partners Oscar Wealth Advisory Sdn Bhd, Arrow Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd, Standard Financial Planners Sdn Bhd and Legacy Wealth Management (M) Sdn Bhd. For more information, please contact RHB Unit Trust Management Bhd at toll free 1-800-88-3656 or visit our website at www.rhb-unittrust.com.my.