Annual and interim reports

The management company is required to publish at least two fund reports in respect of each financial year of the fund. The purpose of these fund reports is to provide all necessary information to enable the unit holders to evaluate the performance of the fund during the financial period in question.

These reports would contain information on:

• the scheme’s asset allocation as at the date of the report, including particulars of significant changes in the asset allocation since the last report
• performance of the scheme
• a review of the market(s) in which the scheme invested during the period
• assessment of future prospects of the market(s) the scheme invests in, and the proposed strategies of the scheme based on the assessment
• trustee’s report stating whether the management company has managed the scheme in compliance with the requirements of the trust deed and relevant laws. The role of the trustee is to act as custodian of the assets of the fund, and the trustee should actively monitor the administration of the fund by the management company to safeguard the interests of the unit holders.
• Syariah Committee or consultant’s report (if applicable), which would state whether the fund has been administered in accordance with Syariah principles
• financial statements for the period under review
• auditor’s report.

Advertisements and promotional materials

Investors may rely on unit trust advertisements and promotional materials to make their investment decisions. Hence, to ensure that unit trust advertisements and promotional materials are as honest, fair, balanced and accurate as possible, clearance from the SC is required before release. Approved advertisements and promotional material will carry a clearance code which begins with the letters “SC/PM”, and is prominently featured.

While there is a tremendous amount of information available to investors, one needs to be extremely careful. Much of the information is very useful, but there is unfortunately a lot of misinformation. Hence, investors should carefully consider the validity and reliability of investment information obtained from all sources, especially unsolicited information obtained over the internet.